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Painter I - Construction and Maintenance Salary in the United States

How much does a Painter I - Construction and Maintenance make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Painter I - Construction and Maintenance in the United States is $45,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $22.

However, a Painter I - Construction and Maintenance's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $53,905
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,790 to $49,990
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,239
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Painter I - Construction and Maintenance Salaries

A Painter I - Construction and Maintenance's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Painter I - Construction and Maintenance Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Painter I - Construction and Maintenances. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $50,590.
  • California: $50,390.
  • Massachusetts: $49,690.

Top Paying Cities for Painter I - Construction and Maintenances

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $57,590
  • San Francisco: $56,990
  • Oakland: $55,790

What Skills Can Increase a Painter I - Construction and Maintenance's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Attention to Detail (Mentioned in 3.73% Job Postings): Executing and completing a task with a high level of accuracy.
  • Carpentry (Mentioned in 1.32% Job Postings): Carpentry is a skilled trade and a craft in which the primary work performed is the cutting, shaping and installation of building materials during the construction of buildings, ships, timber bridges, concrete formwork, etc. Carpenters traditionally worked with natural wood and did the rougher work such as framing, but today many other materials are also used and sometimes the finer trades of cabinetmaking and furniture building are considered carpentry. In the United States, 98.5% of carpenters are male, and it was the fourth most male-dominated occupation in the country in 1999. In 2006 in the United States, there were about 1.5 million carpentry positions. Carpenters are usually the first tradesmen on a job and the last to leave. Carpenters normally framed post-and-beam buildings until the end of the 19th century; now this old fashioned carpentry is called timber framing. Carpenters learn this trade by being employed through an apprenticeship training—normally 4 years—and qualify by successfully completing that country's competence test in places such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa. It is also common that the skill can be learned by gaining work experience other than a formal training program, which may be the case in many places.
  • Installation (Mentioned in 0.83% Job Postings): The action or process of installing someone or something, or of being installed. the act of installing the state of being installed, something that is installed for use.
Skills Demand Percentage
Attention to Detail 3.73%
Carpentry 1.32%
Installation 0.83%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Painter I - Construction and Maintenance's salary.

  • Plumbing: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Creativity: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Plumbing $52,544
15%
Troubleshooting $51,630
13%
Creativity $50,716
11%
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Painter I - Construction and Maintenance Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Painter I - Construction and Maintenance salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $51,060. While startup companies pay approximate $43,192.

Painter I - Construction and Maintenance Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $43,192
Growth Stage 51~500 $45,680
Established 501~5000 $49,305
Enterprise 5000+ $51,060

Painter I - Construction and Maintenance Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Painter I - Construction and Maintenance roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 68% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Painter I - Construction and Maintenance positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Painter I - Construction and Maintenance as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Painter I - Construction and Maintenance

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$57,112$27.025%
Software & Networking$57,112$27.025%
Energy & Utilities$54,828$26.020%
Pharmaceuticals$54,828$26.020%
Insurance$52,543$25.015%

How Education impacts a Painter I - Construction and Maintenance's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Painter I - Construction and Maintenances enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Painter I - Construction and Maintenance with a No Diploma is between $41,290 and $44,487).

Painter I - Construction and Maintenance Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Painter I - Construction and Maintenance
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 8.8%
High School 67.6%
Associates 2.9%
Bachelors 17.6%
Masters 2.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Painter I - Construction and Maintenance Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Painter I - Construction and Maintenance's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$41,790
Average $45,690/year
$49,990
$3,483
Average $3,808/month
$4,166
$804
Average $879/week
$961
$20
Average $22/hour
$24
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $49,990 $4,166 $961 $24
Average $45,690 $3,808 $879 $22
25th Percentile $41,790 $3,483 $804 $20

Painter I - Construction and Maintenance Salary Growth & Career Path

Painter I - Construction and Maintenance

Next Role

Advancement

For a Painter I - Construction and Maintenance, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Brush Painter II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $52,300 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Painter I - Construction and Maintenance

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Painter I - Construction and Maintenance

Here are companies hiring for Painter I - Construction and Maintenance and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Painter I - Construction and Maintenance

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Painter I - Construction and Maintenance?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Painter I - Construction and Maintenance roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Does construction pay well in USA?

In the USA, salaries for painters in construction and maintenance range from approximately $42,590 to $53,690 annually. The median salary is around $48,190. While entry-level positions may start near the minimum, experienced professionals can earn significantly more, reflecting the potential for good pay in the construction industry.

3. Can painters make 100k?

While painters in construction and maintenance typically earn between $42,590 and $53,690, achieving a $100,000 income is possible for those who own their business. By managing a team and efficiently handling projects, a working owner can generate significant revenue, potentially reaching $400,000 to $600,000 annually.

4. What do painters construction and maintenance do?

Painters in construction and maintenance are responsible for painting walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. They may also remove old paint to prepare surfaces before applying new paint. The salary for this role ranges from $42,590 to $53,690, with a mid-salary of $48,190.

5. Do painters make a good living?

Painters in the construction and maintenance sector earn a competitive salary. The minimum salary is $42,590, while the median salary is around $48,190. The highest earners can make up to $53,690. Overall, painters can achieve a good standard of living based on these salary ranges.

6. What type of painter makes the most money?

The highest-paying painting jobs include positions like Painting Supervisor, with salaries reaching up to $77,000 annually. Lead Painters can earn between $46,000 and $55,000, while Commercial Painters typically make between $39,500 and $50,500. Standard Painters earn a salary range of $42,590 to $53,690, reflecting the demand and skill level in the construction and maintenance sector.

7. How to become a construction painter?

To become a construction painter, no formal education is required, but technical schools offer certificates, and many learn through apprenticeship programs. Most painters acquire skills on the job, mastering surface preparation, coating application, wall covering installation, and color matching. Salaries range from $42,590 to $53,690, with a median of $48,190.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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